The via verder for immigration, a new way of issuing visas for foreign workers, came into force this Tuesday
Starting this Tuesday, companies can now apply for visas for foreign workers through the “green lane for immigration”, a protocol that aims to speed up the issuing of visas and facilitate the regularization process for migrants arriving in Portugal. “It is important to understand that the biggest source of migration is for economic reasons and, consequently, it is an understanding between the various partners, reconciling supply with demand”, said Pedro Portugal Gaspar, chairman of the board of directors of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) today.
How does it work?
When companies adhere to the protocol, they will have to offer their workers ethical recruitment, that is, a valid employment contract, professional training and Portuguese language classes, as well as guarantee access to adequate accommodation.
Visas must be issued within 20 days of the applicant being served, provided that the legal requirements are met.
Who can apply for a visa?
Not all companies will be able to benefit from this measure. According to article 12 of the proposal, this protocol will only be accessible to business associations with at least 30 members and a turnover equal to or greater than 250 million euros; employers' confederations or associations or companies ; and companies that, meeting four requirements, employ “directly 150 or more workers”; have “a turnover equal to or greater than 25 million euros”; have a “declaration of no debt to Social Security and the Tax Authority”; and have a “valid permanent certificate code”.
How is the order made?
Companies must submit their application for a “green lane for immigration” to the Directorate-General for Consular Affairs and Portuguese Communities (DGACCP). Within two days, the application is sent to a consular office, which is responsible for scheduling an appointment for applicants to submit the necessary documentation, and is then analyzed.
It is up to AIMA and the Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit (UCFE) to then issue the necessary opinions for granting the visa and, finally, the consular posts must make a final decision and communicate the outcome of the process to the applicant.
According to the Union of Consular Workers (STC), however, there are not enough human resources to guarantee the execution of the protocol as well as to ensure compliance with the deadlines set out in the “green route” for hiring immigrants.